Bellows tire inflating device



Nov. 19, 1935. w. N. SMITH BELLOW TIRE INFLATING DEVICE Original Filed May l1, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l Mzamwmmm;

w ATTORNEYS W. N. SMITH BELLOW TIRE INFLATING DEVICE 179.5 Ziff/p6 Z :id i $43 M 51 f f1 3g 1 `JZ if@ 41 A. if 7J 5 46 l 4Z @3 5i 9 74 /W /y ZZ Z1 www f/[m/ 651 3f www ff 20 y Nom R9, 1935. Y w. N. SMITH 2,021,154`

BELLow TIRE INFLATING DEVICE Original Filed May 1l, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 117 Ilf IN VENT 0R 11i/[iam Mu? BY @l Nov. 19, 1935. Y w N SMITH 2,021,154

BELLow TIRE INFLATING'DEVIGE original Filed May 11, 1932 5 sheets-sheet 4 E i SI Y Nw, 1 9, M35.I

W. N. SMITH BELLow TIRE INFLATING DEVICE Original Filed May l1, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 jg?. 1HE

Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 11, 1932, Serial No. 610,539 Renewed November 3, 1933 Claims.

The present invention relates to iniating mechanisms for vehicle tires and embodies, more specically, an improved automatic tire inflating device actuated by the relative rotation between 5 a vehicle wheel and a stationary part of the vehicle, such as a brake drum or spider mounted upon the vehicle aXl'e or other non-rotating part of the vehicle.

Devices have been provided heretofore to utilize the rotation of a vehicle wheel to effect the pumping of a tire but have proved unsuccessful because no adequate means has been provided for controlling the pressure of the air, or the quantity or rate of pumping air into the tire.

Further objections to existing structures include the ineectiveness of the mechanism for pumping air into the tire and the provision of a device which will function adequately and with proper protection from the elements within the extremely limited space afforded u'pon existing types of vehicle wheels for mechanisms of this character without change being required in the construction of wheels or tires.

The present invention, accordingly, has for an object, the provision of a tire inflating device which may be regulated for both the pressure and quantity of air to be maintained in the tire, and which is sufficiently small to be received upon a present standard type vehicle wheel within the space thereon adapted to receive such devices.

-A further object of the invention is to provide an inating device, the parts of which are effectively sealed from the outside elements whereby lubrication and maintenance thereof is greatly facilitated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism of the above character wherein provision is made for the rotation of a wheel in opposite directions without injuring the mechanism.

Further objects will be aparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in longitudinal section taken through an inating device constructed in accordance with the present invention taken on the section line 1 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows. n

Figure 2 is a detail view showing the mechanism for actuating the pumping device.

Figure 3 is a View in section, taken on line 3 3 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view in section, taken online 4 4 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows. Y

Figure 5 is a view in section, taken on line 5 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line 6 6 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a sectional View of the bello-ws construction of the present invention. 10

Figure 8 is a View in section, similar to Figure 1, taken on line 8 8 of Figure 9, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a View in section, taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 10 and looking in the direction of 15 the arrows.

Figure 10 is a view in section, taken on line I0 i0 of Figure 9, and'looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a View in section, taken on line 20 H Il of Figure 8, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a View in side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing the manner in which the device of Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 25 may be mounted upon a vehicle tire.

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation looking in the opposite direction from the direction in which Figure l2 is taken, showing the actuating mechanism for the inating device. 30

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing v a modied form of the invention.

Figure 15 is a detail view showing the valve regulating mechanism of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a View in section, taken on line 35 |6 I6 of Figure 13, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 17 is a View in section, taken on line H l'l of Figure 16, and looking in theV direction of the arrows. 4,0

Figure 18 is a view in end elevation, similar to Figure 13, showing a modified form of actuating device.

Figure 19 is a plan View of the mechanism shown in Figure 18. 45

With reference to the above drawings, particularly Figures 1 through 7, the brake drum 20 or other suitable rotating elements carried by a motor vehicle wheel is shown as provided with a housing 2l. This housing may be secured to the 50 brake drum or other suitable rotating element by means of screws 22 and is provided with a cover 23 which may be removably secured thereto in order that the interior of the housing may be effectively sealed. An aperture 24 is provided 55 with a movable cap 25 to enable a fluid such as a lubricant to be introduced into the housing.

Within the housing, air-tight bellows 25 are provided, the axes of the bellows lying in circumferential lines which are concentric with the brake drum or other mounting structure 2i), guides 2 being provided to restrict the movement of the bellows in a desired manner. Each outer fold of each of the bellows is provided with a ring 23 which has a flat bearing surface which is adapted to engage the guides 21 and each inner fold of each bellows is provided with a ring 29 which limits the axialexpanding motion of the f bellows to a desired extent. 'Ihe rings 29 thus prevent pressure from within the bellows from expanding and rupturing or disflguring the bellows and thus insure the proper operation thereof under all conditions. The interior flat surfaces of the bellows are formed with reinforcing and air exhausting plates 35 Yand fluid is discharged from the bellows at the end thereof through a fitting 3l. Each fitting 3l is provided with an` inlet valve 32 which permits fluid to be drawn into the bellows from the outside but prevents iiuid from owing in a reverse path from the bellows to the exterior of the housing. Discharge pipes 33 direct iiuid from the respective bellows to a valve mechanism described hereinafter and the distant ends of the bellows are secured in an air-tight fashion to end plates 3e. The adjacent ends of each bell'ows is secured in an air-tight fashion to a movable head 35 which is slidably mounted upon the tracks 2l and provided with extensions 33 which are formed with slots 3l'.V

Between the extensions 36 a connecting rod 38 is secured, the rod being provided with pins 39 which are received within slots 31, thus permitting transverse motion of the connecting rod with respect to the axis of the bellows. In the central section of the housing, a driving mechanism il!! is provided, the driving mechanism including a support lll in which the connecting rod 38 is slidably received. The connecting rod is formed with an endless curved rack 42 having internal' teeth and guide grooves 43. A driving pinion 44 is adapted to engage the teeth of a rack 52 and is mounted upon a shaft 45 which has an extension 46 to engage the guide groove 43. Rotation of shaft 45 thus causes the pinion to drive the connecting rod 38 and the teeth of the pinion follow the teeth of the rack upon the upper and lower stretches thereof as shown in Figure l.

Shaft l5 is provided with a disc 4i which is engaged by retaining clamps 158 and the shaft is driven by a wheel 49 which is secured thereto, the wheel having ratchet teeth formed on the circumference thereof to be engaged by a stationary spring-pressed pawl 55 to prevent movement of the wheel in a backward direction. Upon the outer face of the wheel 4Q a spring-pressed pawl 5| is provided, the pawl engaging the teeth of a ratchet wheel 52 which is mounted upon a shaft 53.

Shaft 53 is centered in a shaft 54 which is journaled in a fitting 55 carried by the housing 22 and motion is transmitted between shafts 53 and 54 by means of a lost motion connection which is illustrated in Figure 6. Shaft 53 is formed with a plurality of radially extending fingers 53 which are received within enlarged notches 5T formed upon a hub 53, carried by the shaft 54. An arm 59 extends downwardly from the hub 58 and is engaged between opposed springs 6B which are suitably seated within the housing by means of shoulders 6|. Springs 50 thus center the hub 58 and enable a limited degree of motion of shaft 54 with respect to shaft 53. The foregoing connection is necessary in providing for motion of the driving element in a reverse direction with respect to the inflating device. Springs 5S serve tof restore the driving shaft 64 to a normal position from which it is moved in one operation of the mechanism, to be described hereinafter.

Shaft 54 carries an arm 62 which engages a lug 53 (Figures 2 and 5) mounted upon a stationary element, such as a brake spider 64 upon the vehicle. The quantity of air which will be delivered to the tire is governed by the length of movement imparted to the bellows at each revolution of the wheel. For regulation of this length of movement and quantity of air, the extent of movement of arm `52 for each revolution of the wheel* may be varied. The radial position of lug 63 may be varied by means of a plate 55 which is secured to the `spider 5d. Plate 65 is formed with a slot 55 within which lug 53 is received, a nut Gi being provided to secure the parts effec'- tively in a desired position. A scale 58 may be placed upon the plate 55 in order that the degree of iniiating may be varied in accordance with the average daily mileage of the vehicle. Lugs 63 may be provided with a roller 53 and projections 69 are formed upon arms 62 to eliminate overthrow and excessive vibration to which the parts may be subjected at certain speeds of operation. Extensions 69 are formed with set screws 'i6 which are adapted to engage a central plate 1I formed upon the fitting 55 and thus the screws l0 may be adjusted to accommodate the throw imparted to the arm 62 by the strike or lug 53 for a given set thereof.

` When the strike or lug 53 moves arm 52, shaft 53 is actuated by the shaft 54 and ratchet wheel 52 moves wheel 4Q through pawl 5I. Reverse motion of wheel 49 is prevented by means of the pawl 50. Reverse motion of wheel 52 without reverse action being imparted tofwheel 49 is allowed by means of pawl 5i. Pinion 44 is thus rotated in a step by step fashion to reciprocate connecting rod 38 gradually. Each reversal of movement of connecting rod 38 initiates a pumping cycle in one of the bellows 26. In Figure i, for example, the left hand bellows is starting upon a pumping stroke whilev the right hand bellows is drawing in air through valve 32. In order that the bellows may be completely exhausted of air and thus the full pumping force of the bellows obtained, air displacement members 'I2 are formed upon the fittings 5l and reinforcing and air exhausting plates 3l! are provided on the bellows. The displacement members and reinforcing and air exhausting plates are so formed that the space within the bellows is completely filled thereby when the bellows are moved to an extreme exhausting position thereof. Figure 1 and Figure '7 illustrate the position of the parts just prior to the movement of the bellows into its contracted position. Y

The discharge ducts 33 lead to a chambered block i3 which is preferably mounted in the central section of the housing 2 l. As seen in Figure 4, the block 'I3 is provided with check valves 14 through which the contents of the respective ducts 33 flow. From the respective check valve M the fluid from the conduits 33 iiows into a manifold 'l5 and a discharge duct 16. The discharge duct 16 communicates with a fitting 1'! having an outlet i8 which communicates with the valve E9 of a tire 80. Fitting 'H is provided with an adjustable pressure relief valve 8| to prevent the accumulation of an excess pressure within the tire and manifold 15. Adjustment of valve 8| may be effected in an obvious manner by threading the same into or out of the casing 11 to vary the tension upon the valve spring.

The connection between the duct 18 and valve 19 is preferably accomplished by means of a tting 82 which is formed as a barrel having internal threads which are adapted to engage the external threads of the valve 19. An adapter 83 is threaded within the valve 19 and is formed with a conical seat 84 which is adapted to engage a sealing ring 85. Duct 18 is provided with an enlarged extremity which is received between the sealing ring 85 and fitting 82. In this fashion an eifective fluid tight connection is aiforded.

In the construction shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11, only a single acting pump is provided. In this construction the housing 2| is adapted to receive two bellows of the character described in connection with the construction shown in Figures 1 through '7. Only one of the bellows, however, is utilized as a pumping member, this bellows being the right hand bellows as viewed in Figure 8. For this bellows, therefore, a fitting 3| is provided and a discharge duct 33 communicates with a valve chamber 81 through the air chamber of inlet valve 88. Inlet valve 88 permits iiuid to` be drawn into the right hand bellows from the outside through discharge duct 33 but prevents fluid from iiowing in a reverse path from the bellows to the exterior. From the chamber 81, the uid is directed through the tire through fitting 89 as described in connection with the structure illustrated in Figure 5. A relief valve 90 is provided in the valve chamber 81 .to prevent excess pressure therein.

In order that the volume within the housing and between the housing and bellows may remain unchanged, a dummy bellows 9| is provided communicating with a tting 92 which is open to the atmosphere. Movement of the pumping bellows therefore causes fluid to flow through the fitting 92 and the dummy bellows 9| preserves a constant volume between the bellows and the housing 2|.

It is proposed to provide a driving mechanism for the device shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 which drives the pumping bellows in one direction only. A spring 93 is therefore provided to cause the bellows to return to an initial position preparatory to the contraction thereof in a pumping cycle.

Bellows 9| and bellows 28, in the construction shown in Figure 8, are tied together rigidly by means of a connecting rod 94, the rod being formed with a guide slot 95 and a stretch of teeth 98 which are engaged by a driving pinion 91. Driving pinion 91 is mounted upon a shaft 98 which is formed with a disc 99, adapted to be driven by a ratchet wheel |00 which is mounted upon a sleeve |0|. A pawl |02 affords a driving connection between the ratchet wheel |00 and the disc 99, the movement of this pawl being controlled by a detent |03 which is attached to pawl |92, detent |08 being pivoted through the disc 99 at |04. Stops |03 and |03Z mounted on disc 99 maintain detent |93 within the circumference of disc 99 during reverse motion of the' disc. Shoulders |05 and |06 are formed on the connecting rod 94 and are adapted to engage the detent |03 to move the pawl |02 into or out of engagement with the ratchet wheel |09.

Upon sleeve |0|, a ratchet wheel |01 is formed, a stationary spring-pressed pawl |08 engaging the wheel to prevent reverse movement thereof. Upon one face of the ratchet wheel |01 a springpressed pawl |09 is for-med to transmit forward motion to ratchet Wheel |01 and to allow reverse movement of ratchet wheel I0 without imparting such reverse movement to ratchet wheel |01. This pawl |09 engages teeth in the periphery of a driving wheel ||0 which is `connected upon a driving shaft Driving shaft is provided with a collar I2 upon one surface of which corrugations ||3 are formed to be engaged by similar corrugations formed upon a sleeve I4. 'I'his sleeve is slidably mounted upon shaft and is limited to axial movement by means of keys I5 which engage slots ||6 formed in the sleeve. A spring ||1 normally urges the sleeve outwardly against collar |2 and thus preserves shaft in predetermined angular positions.

Upon the end of shaft a star wheel 8 is mounted, a lost motion connection ||9 being provided therebetween similar in construction t0 the connection shown in Figure 6. Actuation of the arms of star wheel I |8 by a roller detent |20 causes a step by step motion to shaft the shaft being snapped positively into predetermined positions by the spring clutch construction including the corrugated members ||2 and ||4. The step by step motion is transmitted to the driving pinion 91 through the mechanism just described and connecting rod 94 is thus moved to actuate bellows 26 in its pumping or collapsing stroke. When the bellows has been moved to the position shown in Figure 8, shoulder |05 engages detent |03 to disengage pawl |02 from the ratchet wheel |00. This disconnects the driving elements and permits spring 93 to pull the connecting rod to the left, as viewed in Figure 8 and open the bellows 26.

Byadjusting the relief valve 90, the air pressure to be supplied to the tire may be regulated to a given amount while the quantity of air pumped by the system may be regulated as in the construction shown in Figures 1 to 7 by means of the adjustable strike |20. The position of this strike may be varied upon mounting plate 05 in the manner described in connection with the corresponding elements of Figures 1 to 8, or may be as shown and described in connection with Figure 18.

In the construction shown in Figures 12 through l'l, a further modified form of the invention is shown and includes a single bellows 2| actuated by a connecting rod |22 which is formed with a continuous internal track |23 having upper and lower stretches and a guide rib |24 to maintain a driving pinion |25 in engagement with the teeth ofthe track |23. Screened apertures |28 are provided in the housing 2| to prevent compression of the fluid within the housing and a discharge duct |21 is provided to communicate with a removable Valve fitting |28 which 1s secured to the standard valve stem |29 of a pneumatic vehicle tire and which is provided with a movable sleeve |28' for an air-tight connection. The valve tting |28 is provided with a manifold |30 to which the duct |21 is connected and an air inlet valve |3| is provided in the fitting |28 in order that air may be drawn into the duct 21, and bellows |2|. The fitting is also provided with a valve |32 which is a regulated safety valve and permits the escape of air in the event that a pressure in excess of that required for the tire is produced by the bellows |2| and associated mechanism. A third valve |33 is provided and threaded into the tting coand 2 and described hereinbefore` axially with respect to the valve |29, the third valve having a standard Vvalve rod |34 and valve head |34 and spring |35. Upon the bottom of the rod |34, a sleeve |36 is slidably mounted, this f. sleeve'having an enlarged base |31 to engage |33 through a port |39. Valve |33 thus serves to provide pressure at valve head |34 and as a Y pressure relief for spring |29 at the main tire valve and also as an auxiliary inflating and deating valve, as well as a test valve of usual form.

In order that pinion |25 may be suitably actuated, a strike |49, similar to the construction shown in Figure 2, is mounted upon a shaft |4| i within which a driving shaft |42 is centered.

Shaft I4! drives a collar |43 which drives a sleeve |44 through a fitting illustrated in Figure 17 at |45. This fitting is similar in construction and operation to the connection illustrated inY Figure 6, springs |46 being provided to properly center the arm |49 after each actuation by the adjustable lug mechanism shown in Figures 13 Sleeve |44 carries a ratchet wheel |41 which engages `a spring-pressed pawl |48 mounted upon a ratchet wheel |49 which is secured to the shaft |42. Pinion |25 is mounted upon shaft |42 and therefore is driven through the mechanism just described. A stationary spring-pressed pawl |50 prevents reverse rotation of ratchet wheel |49 in a manner which will be readily apparent from an inspection of Figure 17. Spring-pressed pawl V|48 allows reverse rotation of ratchet wheel |41 without imparting such reverse action to ratchet Wheel |49.

'The operation of the mechanism shown in Figures 12 through 17 is such that the arm or strike |49 serves to actuate pinion |25 continuously and thus cause the connecting rod |22 to be reciprocated in a step by step fashion. During this operation, the connecting rod |22 moves about the driving pinion in order that the same may traverse the upper and lower stretches of teeth formed in the connecting rod in a manner which will be readily understood.

.Figures 18 and 19 show a further modified structure wherein continuousy rotation is imparted to the form of driving mechanism illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 by means of a star wheel |5| which is actuated by a series of adjustable lugs or detents |52. Each lug or detent actuates one of the arms of the star wheel to advance a driving pinion |53 to a predetermined extent as defined by the span of the corrugations of a positioning clutch |54, similar in construction and operation to the clutch mechanism illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that an inflating mechanism has been provided which may be regulated to maintain automatically a predetermined pressure within a tire and the mechanism may be regulated to vary the quantity of uid pumped. In the forms shown in Figures 1 through 11, the housing for the mechanism may be lled with a, lubricant and effectively sealed in order that the device may be lubricated effectively and not become impaired by the presence of foreign matter within the actuating mechanism.

While the invention has been describedwith specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

20 1. A fluid pump comprising an air directing means, an extensible and contractible bellows communicating with the air directing means, means to actuate the bellows, a guide for the bellows, and guide engaging members on the outer folds of the bellows, said members being formed of suflicient Width to prevent contacting of the adjacent outer walls of the bellows folds.

2. A fluid pump comprising an air directing means, an extensible and contractible bellows communicating With the air directing means, means to actuate the bellows, a guide for the bellows, and exhaust plates on the inner sides of the bellows walls.

3. A huid pump comprising an air directing means, an extensible and contractible bellows communicating with the air directing means, means to actuate the bellows, a guide for the bellows, and exhaust and stiffening plates on `the inner sides of the bellows Walls.

4. A fluid pump comprising an air directing means, an extensible and contractible bellows communicating with theV air directing means, means to actuate the bellows, a guide for the bellows, and exhaust and stiffeningplates on the 4 inner sides of the bellows walls, said plates being thinner adjacent the outer fold than adjacent the interior of the bellows.

5. A fluid pump comprising an extensible and contractible bellows having a plurality of folds, means to extend and contract the bellows, a guide for the bellows, and guide engaging members on the outer folds of the bellows, said members being formed of sufficient Width to prevent contacting of the adjacent outer walls of the bellows folds.

WILLIAM NEIL SMITH. 

